A team of international experts and celebrities have been assembled this year to judge the Fifth Annual Born Free USA Fur Free Fashion (fffashion) Competition, where independent fashion designers are invited to enter their fur-free creations for a chance to win prizes; significantly boost their fashion career; be featured in a national magazine; and help promote the ethical and environmental benefits of fur free fashion.

Entries will be judged by an international expert panel featuring: award-winning television, film, and theater actress Joanna Lumley; international design and couture legend Elizabeth Emanuel perhaps best-known for creating Princess Diana's wedding gown; international top model and reality television star Joanna Krupa; actress and television host Katie Cleary; costume designer, fashion historian and professor David James Cole; and Hollywood fashion designer to the stars, Dalia MacPhee. The panel also includes Brita Belli, editor of E/The Environmental Magazine; eco-model, activist and green living expert Summer Rayne Oakes

According to Monica Engebretson, Senior Program Associate at Born Free USA, who oversees the competition, "This is the fifth year of a campaign that is important to Born Free USA and its mission to help send a message to the fashion industry and consumers that fur has no place in socially-conscious ethical fashion. The competition is a wonderful opportunity for emerging independent fashion designers to be seen by leading experts in the fashion world; gain exposure in the industry; and showcase their talent.

Previous fffashion competition winners include designer Valerie Mayen, a competitor on the 2009 season of Project Runway.

To compete in 2013, designers must create a fur-free woman's or man's coat, shirt, pants, dress, skirt or suit. For details, rules, and to enter the competition, go to www.bornfreeusa.org/fffashion. Deadline for entries is April 15, 2013. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place, selected from the top ten finalists. There will also be a "Green Award" and a "Student Award."

Born Free USA is a nationally recognized leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through litigation, legislation, and public education, Born Free USA leads vital campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic "pets," trapping and fur, and the destructive international wildlife trade. Born Free USA brings to America the message of "compassionate conservation" -- the vision of the U.K.-based Born Free Foundation, established in 1984 by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film Born Free, along with their son Will Travers, now CEO of both organizations. Born Free's mission is to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation globally. More at: www.bornfreeusa.org; twitter http://twitter.com/bornfreeusa; Facebook http://www.facebook.com/BornFreeUSA.